HAPPINESS IS . . .
TOWNGATE’S PRODUCTION OF “YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN”

WHEELING, W.Va. (September 8, 2009)- - Spend a day with Charlie Brown and friends as Towngate Children’s Theatre opens its season of family entertainment with a revival of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, which will be staged September 25 –27 and October 1-3 at Towngate Theatre in Wheeling.

Capturing the poignant moments in the lives of the Peanuts gang, this funny and heart-warming musical brings a fresh approach to the widely popular 1966 musical. It includes new scenes and dialogue as well as two new songs, Beethoven Day and My New Philosophy, which have been added to the original 12 wonderful numbers such as The Doctor is In, My Blanket and Me, Suppertime and Happiness. The result is a re-imagined version for a whole new generation of theatergoers to enjoy.

The show is made up of little moments picked from all the days of Charlie Brown.
Valentine’s Day, the trials of baseball season, Lucy as psychiatrist, Schroeder on piano, Snoopy and his adventures – they’re all here in a single vivid day that veers from wild optimism to utter despair from bright uncertain morning to hopeful starlit evening.

Adding his special creative touch to the production is Oglebay Institute youth theatre director Tim Thompson. He said people of all ages feel a special connection to Charlie Brown and his friends because most people can identify with at least one of the characters.

“Whether it’s sweet Charlie Brown, who just can’t catch a break; meddlesome, know-it-all Lucy or daydreaming Snoopy, young and old alike can empathize with them and find joy and humor and in their situations,” he said.

He added that this show celebrates the hopes, dreams, struggles, friendships and innocence of childhood that Charles M. Schulz conveyed so distinctly in his long-running comic strip.

“The Peanuts cartoons are very amusing but they also can teach a lot about life,” Thompson explained. “For example, Charlie Brown reminds us that through dedication and determination you can become a good man. Snoopy teaches us the power of imagination and to think outside the ‘dog’ box. Lucy demonstrates that not everything in life works out the way we want it to, and Woodstock is the ultimate example of a true friend.”

Thompson said the show features “an extremely talented cast that really embodies the characters.”

Cast members include: Joe Heatherington as Charlie Brown, Pete Fernbaugh in the role of Linus, Micah Labishak as Lucy, Karissa Martin as Sally, Peter J. Lim portraying Schroeder, Vincent Marshall as Snoopy and Aimee Schultz as Woodstock.

Thompson is excited to open the 2009-2010 Towngate Children’s Theatre Season with this entertaining musical that the whole family can enjoy.

“With all of the problems going on in the world today, this is an opportunity to escape- even for just a few hours- into a world of joy, innocence, laughter and happiness.”

Presented in partnership with West Liberty University, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown will be staged at Towngate Theatre at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, September 25 and 26 and 2 p.m Sunday, September 27 and again at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 1 -3. Children ages 10 and under will be admitted for a special price of $10. Adult admission is $12.50. Members of Oglebay Institute receive a discount.

Tickets can be purchased by calling the Stifel Fine Arts Center at 304.242.7700. For those buying seats at the door, Towngate’s box office opens one hour before all shows and can be reached at 304.233.4257. Advance tickets are recommended; many shows sell out.

Refreshments are available at Towngate Theatre and parking is curbside or in the nearby Center Wheeling Parking Garage. Located at 2118 Market St., Wheeling, Towngate is easy to find and located just across the street from St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in the historic Centre Market district of Wheeling.